Real Madrid 23/24: Systemic issues, injuries and squad-building failures: the bigger picture of the issues

By: PGS | September 29, 2023 5:40 pm
1251

Although Real Madrid have started the 2023/24 season with 6 wins out of 7 games in LaLiga (1 loss) and 1 win out of 1 in the Champions League, the level of play the team has displayed has been far from what the results would suggest.

Of the 7 total wins so far, 3 have come as a result of late Jude Bellingham winners after the 80th minute, with two actually coming in the very last minutes of games. Furthermore, none of the wins have come by a margin of 3 goals or more, and only 3 wins came with a margin of more than 1 goal.

13 goals scored in 8 games, and 6 conceded. So far, the team has trudged on, using some late heroics from Jude Bellingham and co. to paper over the cracks.

Jude Bellingham celebrating the last minute winner vs Union Berlin.

The tactical issues, if not addressed in time, will eventually catch-up to the team and the results will begin to drop off. However, the bigger issues could be related to squad building, and unless addressed in the winter market, which is highly unlikely as the club has historically proven to be averse to making big moves in January, the issues could end up being disastrous for the club.

Tactical issues:

The same tactical issues from the last 2 seasons have persevered until this season, although there are some signs that these issues are finally being dealt with. The biggest issue for the team over the last 2 seasons has been the counter press. The team has consistently proven to be extremely disorganized when initiating a counter-press.

The common sight of a completely disjointed press, with the gap between the first and last line being massive, leading to opposition teams having barely any trouble beating the press, has continued being a glaring issue for the side so far. With the adoption of a 4-4-2 diamond this season might have further compounded the problems.

With a very narrow shape in possession, with the fullbacks being almost completely relied upon for width, especially after Vinicius’ injury and in instances in which Fede Valverde has been off the field, the shape has contributed to the pressing issues.

Upon losing the ball, the team reverts to a flat 4-4-2 shape to defend in, but it is clear that the team does not have this down to a tee yet. Oftentimes the team fails to get back into proper shape in time, while other times if the opposing player with the ball is pressed immediately, the team fails to block off all his nearest options in time.

The sight of one player aggressively pressing while the rest of the team falls back into defensive shape is a common one, and the lack of coordination has lead to countless transition opportunities for opposing sides. The team is still extremely vulnerable on set-pieces and crosses, as seen in the game against Atletico in which the team conceded 3 headers.

On the offensive side of things, tactical issues continue to hamper the individual abilities of players. While Vinicius and Rodrygo seem to be adapting to playing in a front two, albeit slowly, the lack of tactical ideas to elevate them has held the two Brazilians back.

In the front 2, both are given a great degree of freedom, and both are able to drift wide at will and play more naturally, and Vini has already shown signs of mastering the half-space run into the box, on the left in particular.

However, with both being natural wingers, often Vini moves to the touchline on the left, while Rodrygo operates in the half-space next to him, which leaves 0 presence in the box. This has allowed defenses to be comfortable in their settled shape, and not have to worry about a constant threat in the box.

These issues have also been compounded by poor finishing. Rodrygo so far only has 1 goal from 3.8 xG, and has missed a number of chances he would’ve buried otherwise. Joselu has underperformed his xG as well, scoring 3 from 4.5.

Injuries:

All of the aforementioned problems have been greatly worsened by injuries to starters.

Both Militão and Courtois will basically miss the entire season with ACL injuries. The teams best CB over the last 2 seasons, and arguably the best goalkeeper in the world for the last 3 or 4 years will miss the season, and the impact their loss will have cannot be overstated.

(Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

On top of these 2 massive injuries, Vinicius Jr. has already missed 4 games due to a hamstring injury, and would’ve missed more had the international break not come at a fortunate time.

New signing Arda Güler, who while not a key part of the squad but would have been a great option off the bench, is yet to play a single minute after suffering two injuries already.

Ferland Mendy also missed the first 6 games due to injury, and now David Alaba is expected to miss around 2 weeks.

5 startes have now had injuries which have caused them to miss multiple games (the whole season in the case of Militão and Courtois), and very few, if any, teams can cope with such losses this early on.

Squad-building issues:

Even after all the tactical and injury issues, the biggest problem in the squad might still have to do with composition.

While the midfield, in the eyes of the author and a lot of fans around the world, is the best in the world, with 7 incredible players of all required profiles, the midfield Real Madrid have constructed is one of the deepest ever.

However, the frontline and defense are lacking greatly. The most obvious issue is the lack of a world class center forward. Losing the best striker, and maybe even the best player in the world for the past 3 seasons or so; Karim Benzema, was always going to be a massive blow to the team. Benzema was the main source of goals in the team, while also being one of its primary creators and the main guy who connected the rest of the attack. This combined with his role as the team’s leader, Benzema was the face of the franchise up until his departure.

Losing a Ballon d’Or winner is bad enough, but then proceeding to not replace him at all is disastrous. Joselu was always brought-in as a replacement to Mariano, not Benzema.

With Benzema out of the team, the team has lost its focal point in attack, a good 40+ G/A, and the lack of a replacement has caused a plethora of tactical issues. The only way to really solve these issues are by signing a truly world class replacement, and with Mbappe refusing to leave PSG and the club refusing to look at alternatives, the summer transfer window came and went without a replacement.

Another issue has been the lack of cover at CB and RB. Carvajal’s decline over the last 3 seasons has been very steep, and while he has had a renaissance this season, it still does not make-up for the fact that he has no clear alternatives.

Lucas Vazquez has done a decent job at RB since he was moved there, he still is a natural winger, and his physical decline is clear to see.

At CB, the team did have adequate cover at the start of the season, but Militão’s injury has ruined that. Now the team only has 3 senior center-backs; Rudiger, Alaba and Nacho, and Alaba has already picked up an injury. In addition to this, Nacho is often tasked with covering at either fullback role, and our CB depth is stretched paper thin. If Rudiger or Nacho get injured or suspended, the player to step-in will either be an out of position Mendy, or Marvel from the youth set-up.

This article may make it seem as though all is doom and gloom for Real Madrid this season, it still needs to be remembered that Real Madrid are still one of the most talent heavy sides in the world. In Vinicius and Rodrygo, the team has two of the most electrifying attackers around, and a 7-man midfield rotation of Kroos, Modrić, Fede, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Ceballos and Bellingham could be the deepest midfield constructed ever. Add to that players like Alaba, Rudiger, Caravajal, role players such as Fran Garcia, Brahim and Joselu, and the guidance of one of the most successful coaches ever, Real Madrid are still a formidable team, albeit with some pretty obvious issues.

It’s still early, but the response must come fast

By: Ardit Lipa | October 27, 2024 9:30 am
653

Real Madrid suffered a tough defeat in the biggest match of the season so far – falling 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu against the biggest rivals, Barcelona.

The defeat – not only did stop Real Madrid from going 43 games unbeaten in La Liga, but also gave a reality check to everyone in the team & outside of it, of where the team really stands, showcasing perfectly every flaw that this star studded team has.

Instead of focusing on the negatives that are quite obvious, we will try to find the positives – a task that realistically, seems very difficult.

But are there any positives to take from last night? From the game, no. Mentally, yes.

Even though the difference at the top is now 6 points for Barcelona, the league is still with 27 games ahead & the chances for response are big. But, instead of focusing on the rival – Real Madrid should focus on themselves & try to make things better.

Since the season has started, the performances have been average at best – and even the wins, have not been very convincing, often secured by a goal difference and in the last minutes of the game.

It’s not a matter of quality – because if you take a look at the individuals – it is the best team in the world, but it’s matter of performance and attitude & the attitude has clearly been missing by the team’s main stars that so far, have not shown their best version, none of them.

Aside of that – the coach, has isolated some players totally, not giving them the chance to prove themselves, such as Arda Güler & Endrick, who in the limited minutes have shown that they can make a difference, and you can expect them to atleast be trusted when you’re attacking and chasing a 2-0 result.

Generally, a lot of things should be improved – like performance, attitude and dividing the minutes to different players – and if you’ve been a fan of Real Madrid for too long, you know that the team always responds, and it should not be expected different this time. BUT, this doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be overreaction – because the signs are really worrying, and the response – unlike other times, MUST be immediate.

The positive, is that it’s only October & there are almost 50 matches in all competitions left to play, so the margin for improvement is really, really big.

Now, it’s time to put all the questions on the table and find the answers to all of them – one by one.

The trust is big, as always. As Toni Kroos said – at the end we are Real Madrid.

Neymar backs Vinícius Jr. for Ballon d’Or after an impressive season

By: TheMadridZone | October 14, 2024 12:21 pm
72

Neymar Jr. has publicly voiced his support for Vinícius Jr. to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. In an emotional moment, Neymar stated, “I am supporting Vini Jr. to win the Ballon d’Or. He had a great season and no one deserves it more.”

Vinícius Jr., who played a pivotal role for both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team, has been in outstanding form throughout the season. His performances have captured global attention, making him one of the frontrunners for the award, and with Neymar’s backing, his candidacy grows even stronger.

Real Madrid target Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jonathan Tah to bolster defense amid injury crisis

By: TheMadridZone | 12:19 pm
62

Real Madrid are targeting Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah to strengthen their defense in light of recent injuries. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has informed the club that reinforcements are crucial to maintaining their competitive edge this season.

Alexander-Arnold’s playmaking ability and defensive versatility have made him a vital asset for Liverpool, while Tah’s strength and reliability in the Bundesliga have been key to Bayer Leverkusen’s success. With both players on Real Madrid’s radar, the Spanish giants are looking to bolster their squad depth as they face a challenging season ahead.

Trent Alexander-Arnold or Alphonso Davies, who does Real Madrid need more?

By: PGS | August 2, 2024 6:54 am
798

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in two of the world’s best fullbacks: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies, and the club are aiming to sign them for free in 2025, when their respective contracts end with their clubs. In an ideal scenario, the club will be able to sign both, as both are phenomenal talents that would improve the club. However, a scenario could arise in which the club would be forced to choose between one or the other. The club’s modus operandi when signing players in recent years has been to encourage their targets not to renew, sign them for free to save up on transfer fees, and offer them high wages. This method was used to first sign David Alaba, and Antonio Rüdiger and Kylian Mbappé have also been signed with the same method. The club is now aiming to do the same with Trent and Davies, and the club could be in a situation in which they will have to decide which way to pour more resources. Both are elite talents around their prime, and both will demand high wages. So, if the club is in a position to choose only one, the question arises; who does Real Madrid need more?

The answer, in the opinion of the author, is Trent Alexander-Arnold.

While Trent and Davies are both known to be exceptional offensive talents, their styles of play are very different. Davies is a monster in transition, a super quick player who originally started as a winger and later transitioned into a fullback. He is a player who loves to take players on, something that is reflected in his monstrous 3.1 take-ons completed p90 (comparable to prime Marcelo numbers). In a footrace, there are very few players in the world who can keep up with the Canadian, and his main way of attacking comes from beating his man and creating chaos with his dribbling and speed.

Trent on the other hand, is not the athlete Davies is, but is a passing wizard. Slower, and a worse dribbler than Davies (only 1.2 take-ons p90), Trent’s main strength is his final ball. Attempting 7.1 crosses p90 and completing 2.3, compared to 1.4 attempts with 0.5 completed for Davies, their differences are clear to see. Trent is seen as one of the best passers and crossers in the world, and is also an elite set-piece taker. His passing range and technique put midfielders to shame, and his passing in transition is some of the best in the world.

So, why do Real Madrid need Trent more than they do Davies? The answer is the stylistic profiles of both Trent, and the players at hand at Real Madrid. Trent Alexander-Arnold can be seen as almost being tailor-made to fit this current Real Madrid side. A truly devastating passer in transition, a player who completes 30 forward passes a game, 1 through ball and 6.2 long balls, Trent is a one-man transition weapon. For comparison, Toni Kroos completed 9.8 long-balls a game last season. While Trent’s long passing is not Kroos’, with Kroos’ departure, having someone of Trent’s quality will go a long way in helping fill that void. While Davies also has his offensive talents, the gap between him and Trent in these departments is immense. Davies completes 16 forward passes p90, only 0.4 long balls and 0.2 through-balls. Davies’ skills in transition are his ball-carrying and speed, while Trent’s are his precision passing and ability to spread the play immediately.

Analyzing these different skills in the context of Real Madrid, it becomes clear that Trent’s skillset is a better fit. Firstly, there is the task of replacing Kroos’ passing. While no player in football can do that, Trent’s ability to switch play, find targets on the run with pinpoint precision, and set-off attacks in transition will go a long way in helping mitigate some of the effects of Kroos’ departure. Then, you have to look at the attackers that will be starting for Madrid. Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo are as fast an attack as you will ever see. All three are incredibly fast and are truly devastating in transition. Imagine a counter-attack with the three on the break, and Trent finding them with his long-passing. An attack like that would truly be unstoppable.

Furthermore, Trent would also be an incredible outlet option on the right. All three aforementioned players and Jude Bellingham naturally gravitate towards the left. Naturally, there will be an overload there that will force opposition defenses to crowd that area, leaving the right open, something we saw every game during the threepeat era. A quick switch to an open Trent who will have ample space to cross or shoot would be a truly elite weapon in Real Madrid’s locker. Jude would also be an elite crossing target, but Trent’s crossing is so good that even without tall targets in the box, he has managed a remarkable number of assists for Liverpool. None of Salah, Mane and Firmino were truly great aerial targets, but Trent found them consistently regardless, and the same can be expected with his Real Madrid targets. With this skillset, Trent is also a much better creator than Davies, creating 2.7 chances p90, compared to 1.6 for the Canadian. Trent also helps mitigate the effects of losing a set-piece taker, as Trent has been the primary corner and free-kick taker for Liverpool, and has done an exceptional job so far.

These stylistic profiles are also why Davies is not as big of a need as Trent is. What he excels at, Vinícius, Mbappé and Rodrygo also excel at. Being a left-back, Davies would also play in the flank that these three like to play-in, and while having an elite attacking fullback on that side would be a plus point, not having him would not be a problem either. The right side on the other hand, is relatively lacking in attacking talent, mainly with the starting XI. All of Madrid’s natural right-sided attackers are expected to come off the bench, with Brahim, Endrick and Arda, the teams three left footed attackers, will not be bonafide starters. As a result, the main threat on the right will come from Fede Valverde’s runs. Right now, Carvajal provides width and is elite at it, but signing Trent adds another, truly world class, weapon on the right, and sets-up a long-term replacement for Carvajal as well.

On the defensive side of things, an equally important part of their game, both Trent and Davies have come under criticism. Seen as attacking fullbacks with average defensive games, Trent and Davies both have deficiencies on their part. Trent is infamous for his propensity to leave the back-post unguarded and lose his marker, while Davies is often criticized for his lack of positional discipline. Both are not elite defenders, but are not bad either. Statistically, they produce similar defensive numbers, with Davies completing slightly more tackles p90 (2.1 vs 1.7), while Trent has very slight leads in interceptions (1.3 vs 1.2) and clearances (1.8 vs 1.7). Yet, despite their defensive weaknesses, Madrid fans do not need to be concerned. Defending is far more reliant on the team’s structure than individual talent, and with a midfield of Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Jude and Fede in front of them, they will have more than enough cover to go on their marauding runs.

Age is also a factor. Dani Carvajal may have had the season of his career last season, but he will be 33 by the time the 2025 summer rolls around, and Lucas will have reached 34. Ferland Mendy on the other hand, will have just turned 30, and Fran Garcia will be reaching his 25th birthday. Taking into account this aspect as well, Trent is the better, more needed option for the team next summer.

As said before, the ideal scenario would be signing both, but if the club was to be faced with the decision, then Trent should be the club’s choice.

Arda Güler cuts his vacation short

By: Ardit Lipa | July 26, 2024 12:01 pm
899

Arda Güler has cut his vacation short to return training for the new season.

Real Madrid’s 19-year old gem had a really positive EURO 2024 with Türkiye, exceeding everyone’s expectations while reaching the quarterfinals & going out just in the quarterfinals.

Going that far in the tournament, Arda Güler was scheduled to have a longer vacation, but the Turkish star has decided to cut them short & will return to Madrid tomorrow, where he will start training with the team and travel to USA on Sunday for the preseason tour.

Arda spent his vacation in Bodrum in Türkiye & Maldvies, where he was seen constantly individually training – preparing for the new season.

Güler had a first season full of unlucky injuries, but in the limited minutes he had at the end of the season – he scored 6 goals, impressing everyone & also was fantastic in EURO 2024, letting it be known that he can have a much bigger role in 2024/25.

The Turkish star wants to start strongly in preseason, to slowly gain a place for himself & get more minutes. With other players coming later to preseason, Arda Güler will be a starter in the preseason games vs Milan (August 1st), Barcelona (August 4th) & Chelsea (August 7th).

Related Articles

Previous Next